Xiao Mo led Xian Wei towards the fortune-telling stall. In Xian Wei’s eyes, the stall was rather shabby, just a table and a bamboo cylinder filled with divination sticks, without even a cloth banner proclaiming “Iron-Mouth Divine Prediction.” This Cao Mo, though a Celestial Master, lacked worldly experience. “Oh well,” Xian Wei thought, “since I’m associating with Cao Mo now, I might as well teach him a trick of the trade for free.”

However, Xian Wei was also puzzled and couldn’t help asking, “Xiao Mo, why didn’t Cao Mo accept that immortal coin in the end? If I’m not mistaken, that was a Snowflower Coin, commonly used by immortals in the mountains!”

“Are mountain immortals so indifferent to money?” he wondered.

Xiao Mo replied, “It’s difficult to part with wealth; only those who can are truly enlightened.”

Xian Wei took it with a grain of salt. Such useless bookish principles could fill several baskets if he compiled them, yet his pockets were still cleaner than his face.

Seeing Cao Mo about to put away the divination sticks, Xian Wei grew anxious. “Is he closing up shop already? Can one be so careless in earning money?”

Xian Wei plopped down on the long bench, snatched the bamboo cylinder from Chen Ping’an’s hand, shook it vigorously, and spilled out a stick. He stared intently, muttering to himself as if conversing with the green-robed Immortal Elder. Xian Wei’s expression shifted between shock and realization, sometimes frowning, sometimes nodding, occasionally asking a question. Finally, his face flushed crimson, and he shouted excitedly, “Immortal Elder, this divination is incredibly accurate! Divine being! The Immortal Elder is truly a divine being!” Xian Wei stood up, performed a passable Daoist salute, then pulled out the gold ingot from his sleeve, placing it heavily on the table. “Please, Immortal Elder, impart the method to resolve this…”

Xiao Mo stood aside, watching this simpleton make a fool of himself. Speechless, Xiao Mo could only pretend not to know him.

In reality, Chen Ping’an hadn’t said a word from beginning to end. He now looked at Xian Wei’s eager face and then at the gold ingot on the table, rubbing his brow in a headache.

This wasn’t a bustling marketplace; it was a celestial ferry. Such clumsy tricks wouldn’t fool anyone.

You, Xian Wei, are at least a half-baked Qi cultivator, yet this journey north has been filled with hardship. A meal with wine and meat is like a New Year’s feast, and you’ve only managed to save a single gold ingot. You can’t blame anyone else for that.

So grown up, yet your skills are worse than Pei Qian’s when she was a child.

Now you’re dragging me into this, making me look like a swindler.

Sure enough, the passersby near the fortune-telling stall, whether they were registered celestial masters, wild cultivators from the mountains and marshes, or seasoned veterans, were all looking at Xian Wei with the eyes one reserves for an utter fool.

How desperate for money must these two con artists be to come to Gaosu Ferry to act so bizarrely? Probably so poor they can’t even afford rice. It’s like setting up a fortune-telling stall in front of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Heavenly Master’s Mansion or playing Go in the Cloud Hall of the White Emperor City. How much could they possibly earn?

Chen Ping’an lifted his chin. Xian Wei also noticed that the nearby pedestrians were intentionally distancing themselves from the fortune-telling stall. He reluctantly picked up the gold ingot, not daring to store it with the luggage in the house’s wing room, fearing thieves. He had to carry it with him to feel secure. Chen Ping’an stowed the divination sticks he had hastily made last night into his sleeve, then reminded Xian Wei to get up. Chen Ping’an tapped the table and then waved his sleeve, causing the table and benches to vanish, leaving nothing behind.

Xian Wei watched in astonishment. “This is the celestial art of creating something from nothing? Can I learn alchemy from Cao Mo, turning stone into gold?”

The three left the ferry and headed back to the capital along a wide official road. Xian Wei sighed all the way, still walking.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Xian Wei’s hairpin and asked Xiao Mo telepathically, “Xiao Mo, what do you think is the state of this Xian Wei before us?”

Assuming this “daoist” named Nian Jing, styled Xian Wei, was indeed the first “Daoist” of this world, then according to the secret records from the Summer Palace, this “Daoist” bearing great fortune had already fallen in that battle to ascend to the heavens. There was no doubt about this, because when Chen Ping’an returned to the Vast Expanse, he had asked Li Sheng, who had personally confirmed that this senior had indeed died and his Dao had dissipated.

This Daoist, who had contributed greatly to the human world, had died in battle, even losing his Daoist hairpin in the human realm. Eventually, it was picked up by the founding ancestor of the Immortal Hairpin City, Gui Lingxiang, on the earth, leading her to embark on the path of cultivation. She possessed the Yaoguang Blessed Land but devoted her heart to building an Immortal Hairpin City as tall as the sky.

Generally speaking, this Daoist should have undergone something similar to a military dismemberment and reincarnation. The Xian Wei beside Chen Ping’an at this moment was likely just a remnant of that Daoist’s soul.

Reincarnated deities of the Ancient Heavenly Court could rely on their pure divinity. This “true body” was like entering a long sleep. Whether it was housed in a human or demon cultivator, the decay and death of the mortal shell would not diminish or increase the divinity in the slightest. The problem was that Xian Wei was a cultivator, not a deity. Logically speaking, with each reincarnation following that “military dismemberment” that began ten thousand years ago, the old soul would continuously dissipate and be replenished with a new soul. The longer the time passed, the greater the loss would be, only making later generations of Xian Weis less and less like the original Daoist.

Unless…

Unless that Daoist had, in fact, only undergone a few, or even just one, military dismemberment and reincarnation in the past ten thousand years?!

Xiao Mo was a little embarrassed. “On this matter, Xiao Mo dares not speak recklessly. You are asking a blind man for guidance.”

Regarding the reincarnation of cultivators, Xiao Mo was truly an outsider, because ten thousand years ago, cultivators, whether human or demon, almost only lived one lifetime.

In terms of magical arts, the level of achievement ten thousand years later was roughly the same as ten thousand years before; the difference was not too great.

However, if one considered the variety and complexity of current Qi cultivators, just in terms of quantity and breadth, without talking about pure destructive power or the profoundness of Daoist arts, compared to ten thousand years ago, there were indeed tens of thousands more magical arts.

Chen Ping’an nodded. “It’s alright; we can put this matter aside for now.”

He couldn’t use those cruel methods of capturing souls just to confirm Xian Wei’s identity and cultivation level. Chen Ping’an neither wanted to nor dared to act in such a manner.

Moreover, if Xian Wei truly had a great connection with that Daoist, or was intentionally hiding his abilities, perhaps to seek retribution from him on behalf of the Immortal Hairpin City, Chen Ping’an’s current methods would be of little use.

However, Chen Ping’an believed that this possibility was unlikely, as it would be judging a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind. After all, the other party was a Daoist who didn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself to pave the way for humanity’s ascension to the heavens.
Or was it possible that the other party employed some unimaginable, mystical artifice, deceiving even the heavens through self-deception? A grand deception spanning ten thousand years?

Furthermore, Chen Ping’an had to worry if this was some machination of Zouzi, or perhaps connected to him in some way.

If one were to simply believe the Immortal Guard’s own account, it was due to a stroke of immense fortune in his youth. Pure chance, coupled with his ancestral grave emitting auspicious smoke, allowed him to stumble upon a fragment of an immortal tome, leading him to abandon scholarship and embark on the path of cultivation.

Thus, the Immortal Guard remains ignorant of the established cultivation stages, only gleaning knowledge of “terrestrial immortals” and their splendor from fantastical tales.

The Immortal Guard currently resides in the Willow Tendon Realm, the so-called “Retaining Man” stage, of the Lower Five Realms. Moreover, lacking a guiding mentor, devoid of any explicit instruction, and without a Natal Treasure, his understanding of cultivation is fragmented and shallow. His comprehension of utilizing spiritual energy and performing spells is even more rudimentary.

This charlatan, accustomed to the ways of the Jianghu, familiar with the art of the honeytrap, having both deceived and been deceived, suffered his most humiliating experience early on. A scholar encountering soldiers. In the desolate wilds, he was captured by a band of brigands, and due to his literacy and refined demeanor, was forced to serve as their strategist and accountant for several months. He fared reasonably well, and when the Immortal Guard finally escaped, a new plaque adorned the main hall, bearing his calligraphy: “Heaven Rewards Diligence.”

In truth, the one person under heaven most capable of unraveling this enigma for Chen Ping’an was the White Emperor City Lord, who once strove to prove that he was not the Dao Ancestor.

A saying once circulated atop Jade Crown Mountain, before Zheng Juzhong attained the Fourteenth Realm, and while Cui Chan was still the Wen Sheng’s foremost disciple. The pair had just completed the ‘Ten Games of彩云’.

“Those of shallow talent and limited spirit, should not aspire to Immortal Yearning.”

“Those lacking surpassing intellect, should not emulate the Embroidered Tiger.”

Chen Ping’an inexplicably recalled an analogy once made by Cui Dongshan: “To be born a human is like forming a boat from wood. After reincarnation, the soul disperses, borrowing from one place to patch another. After a long time, how can one distinguish the new boat from the old? Are they truly the same?”

Xiao Mo, habitually consulting the books within her heart-lake, asked: “Young Master, does this fall under the School of Names’s art of debate, concerning the ‘rectification of names’?”

Chen Ping’an nodded: “Like my teacher, though his impression of the School of Names is generally mediocre, feeling that this learning tends to degenerate into sophistry, he still deeply regrets the current state of decline, saying that while the School of Names must not flourish excessively, it must never be entirely absent.”

Xiao Mo hesitated, then frankly stated: “I do not advise Young Master to keep the Immortal Guard by your side. It would be better to hand him over to the Wen Miao directly.”

Too many unforeseen circumstances could lead to unimaginable consequences.

Leaving the matter in the hands of the Central Earth Wen Miao would be far more secure.

Chen Ping’an patiently explained: “Firstly, I have long grown accustomed to dealing with such matters. Secondly, the joy of cultivation lies not only in breaking through realms, but also in the unknown, in solving riddles. Finally, and most crucially, I do not believe that pushing the Immortal Guard away will allow me to avoid anything. More likely, it will be counterproductive. What seems far away is often close at hand, and what seems close at hand may actually be far away.”

Xiao Mo smiled: “I am too narrow-minded. My heart is far less broad than Young Master’s.”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly: “Then drink more wine. The vastness of the heavens and earth cannot compare to a wine bowl.”

The Immortal Guard raised his hand to his brow, gazing into the distance. A wineshop with a banner was visible by the roadside, stirring up the alcohol cravings within him. He quickly asked: “Immortal Master Cao, are you hungry?”

With Xiao Mo, the Immortal Guard readily addressed him as Cao Mo, using his given name directly.

But with Chen Ping’an, he was much more courteous, tailoring his behavior to the individual.

Chen Ping’an glanced at the small wineshop. The writing on the banner possessed a certain immortal air: “Dismount, look back, the age-old flavor remains, and linger awhile.”

He had noticed it on the way here. It was simply a place selling counterfeit liquor, with unparalleled audacity. Any renowned immortal wine that could be named on the mountain was available there, from the Long Spring Palace’s brews to the Black Crow Wine of Book Brief Lake, even the Osmanthus Wine of Old Dragon City. Presumably because the prices were too low, quite a few people were actually buying wine there.

One dared to sell, the other dared to drink.

The Immortal Guard truly craved the liquor. Having been dragged by Xiao Mo early in the morning to paste talismans on a household, he was now hungry and continued to urge Immortal Master Cao to sit down at the wineshop, saying that in such a mixed and bustling crossing, one might encounter an eccentric or immortal master. If they found each other congenial, wouldn’t that be a stroke of immortal fortune? The Immortal Guard babbled incessantly as they walked, until Chen Ping’an dispelled his notion with a single sentence: “Drinking and eating is fine, but you’re buying.”

The Immortal Guard immediately changed the subject: “Immortal Master Cao, are the things written in books true—sweet nectar, immortal brews, mountain fruits? Like the Crossing Pear and Fire Jujube, or thousand-year Ganoderma rice, ten-thousand-year ginseng stewed with old duck? Have you tasted them, Immortal Master Cao? What are they like?”

Chen Ping’an grew increasingly annoyed. Throughout his life, whether in the Jianghu or on the mountain, he had rarely been extravagant when it came to food, clothing, shelter, and travel.

Seeing the displeasure on Immortal Master Cao’s face, the Immortal Guard immediately ceased speaking, glanced at the banner, and said: “The writing is truly immortal. Generally speaking, immortals must drink immortal brews, to miss such a chance is regrettable.”

Chen Ping’an ignored him.

Last night, Ning Yao had informed Chen Ping’an, who was flipping through books at the 人云亦云楼, that her seclusion would soon end, within two days at most.

Chen Ping’an told her not to rush, that a day or two made no difference.

He had recently received a flying sword transmission from 落魄山, informing him that he might need to attend a wedding banquet in the capital tomorrow.

Xiao Mo patted the Immortal Guard on the shoulder.

The Immortal Guard asked quizzically: “Xiao Mo, what is it?”

Xiao Mo smiled slightly: “Walk properly. Talking is tiring.”

The Immortal Guard sighed. When impoverished, one’s ambition shrinks, and one is even taught how to behave by a mere servant.

As Chen Ping’an passed the wineshop, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and walked straight inside, because there was a white-robed man, occupying a table alone, drinking wine.

The Immortal Guard had been right.

Zheng Juzhong raised his wine bowl and smiled: “What a coincidence.”

Chen Ping’an walked to the table, bowed to Zheng Juzhong, addressed him as Mister Zheng, and simply sat down in silence. Three empty wine bowls sat on the table, indicating that Zheng Juzhong was waiting for Chen Ping’an and his party to pass by the wineshop.
Chen Ping’an was certain that the Zheng Juzhong he saw was a different person from the white-robed man seen by the many drinkers in the tavern.

Without Zheng Juzhong needing to say anything, the riddle in Chen Ping’an’s heart was already half-solved.

Chen Ping’an didn’t think he was worthy of Zheng Juzhong’s waiting; it must be because of the Immortal Attendant beside him.

The Immortal Attendant generously took a seat, while Xiao Mo, after helping pour the wine, stood behind Chen Ping’an.

Because the other party hadn’t used any illusions on her, Xiao Mo knew the man’s identity and recognized him at a glance.

Since arriving in the Vast Heaven with Chen Ping’an, although only for a short time, Xiao Mo had been extremely attentive to one matter: gathering information from the mountains and diligently memorizing the names of the most formidable cultivators in the Vast Heaven, all of whom were, of course, at the Ascension Realm pinnacle.

Zheng Juzhong glanced at the Immortal Attendant at the table and said, “Using a hairpin to stir wine, the hairpin will soon be exhausted, like a person grinding ink. Body and name both perish, but their deeds flow for eternity.”

The Immortal Attendant chuckled. *Good heavens, if we’re talking about spouting such empty rhetoric, I can’t beat Celestial Master Cao, but would I be afraid of you?*

He picked up the wine bowl with two fingers, not even needing to prepare his words or draft anything in his mind. This young Daoist began to ramble on with a straight face, gently swirling the wine bowl, sniffing it, and smiling, “The Dao rises one foot, the Demon rises ten. My fate is fraught with hardship; what can I do but sigh?”

Chen Ping’an’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

Zheng Juzhong smiled, “Commendable words and deeds, worthy of celebration.”

The Immortal Attendant lamented, “My life is destined to be like a boat sailing on dry land. What can I do? Ask me to defy the heavens?”

His principle was simple: use whatever language could overawe others.

Zheng Juzhong smiled, stood up, and simply left.

He left behind a Small Heat Coin on the table as payment for the wine.

Zheng Juzhong only spoke to Chen Ping’an in his mind, saying three words: “Don’t take it seriously.”

This was probably the way to teach Chen Ping’an how to interact with the Immortal Attendant.

Chen Ping’an replied in his mind, “Thank you for your teachings, Master Zheng.”

After Zheng Juzhong left the tavern, Chen Ping’an put the Small Heat Coin into his sleeve and called out to the tavern keeper, “We’ll pay the bill first.”

The Immortal Attendant was utterly bewildered and asked, “Celestial Master Cao, who was that? He spoke quite unreliably, but fortunately, he’s not a bad person, knowing to leave money for the wine.”

Chen Ping’an was still too lazy to pay attention to this fellow, only giving the tavern keeper a Snowflake Coin and then drinking the so-called Longevity Palace Immortal Brew on the table.

Chen Ping’an told Xiao Mo to sit down and drink, then lowered his head, took a sip of wine, and asked in his mind, “Xiao Mo, your four flying swords?”

Earlier, at the inn, when they first met the Immortal Attendant, Xiao Mo had summoned four flying swords.

Xiao Mo didn’t hide anything, saying straightforwardly, “Among them, three flying swords are primarily for attack, and one is for assisting in cultivation, but now it seems rather useless. The four flying swords have never been named. Perhaps Young Master will need to do so in the future. Among the first three, Xiao Mo is most fond of one because it can draw a celestial star from beyond the heavens, causing it to fall to earth. If I were to fight someone with swords, and needed to truly risk my life, success or failure would depend on it. The other two are quite ordinary. One can mimic the innate divine abilities of other people’s flying swords, but unfortunately, this can’t be sustained for long, and it will also degrade its grade, reducing its killing power. It’s better than nothing, I suppose. The other flying sword can temporarily create a prison to confine a Daoist’s soul. It’s still a risky, unconventional sword technique, not a true path of swordsmanship. So in my early years, I didn’t like to summon these flying swords when fighting others; they’re flashy and impractical.”

“The last flying sword was extremely beneficial to my cultivation in the early stages, allowing me to ascend quite rapidly. Of course, compared to Young Master’s unstoppable momentum, it’s not worth mentioning. This sword can allow me to absorb the spiritual energy between heaven and earth without any Qi refinement, until the area within a thousand miles becomes what today’s Qi refiners call a ‘forbidden zone.’ Then, I can put away the flying sword and move to another place to cultivate. In my early years, after I reached the Earth Immortal… now the Immortal Realm, this flying sword became meaningless, hence the talk of it being useless.”

“In the future, following Young Master, if I meet a sword immortal seedling with whom I have an affinity, Xiao Mo will also take in a few direct disciples and teach them swordsmanship with utmost care, until one day I find a suitable candidate who can become my closed-door disciple. As long as their Dao heart is strong enough, I will strip out this natal flying sword and give it to this prized disciple.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Xiao Mo, don’t just talk; drink more wine.”

Xiao Mo had a somewhat longing expression and asked, “Young Master, in our Fallen Mountain now, is there a suitable candidate? If there happens to be such a sword immortal seedling on the mountain, I won’t have to go to so much trouble; I’ll just find a closed-door disciple.”

This wasn’t a joke.

Chen Ping’an took a sip of wine and waved his hand in refusal, “Don’t be so whimsical. Take your time.”

Seeing that the Immortal Attendant looked somewhat dazed, Chen Ping’an asked, “What’s wrong?”

The Immortal Attendant patted his stomach, feeling wronged, “The wine is satisfying to drink but not filling! I’m hungry.”

He hadn’t expected this tavern to only sell wine and not food. Moreover, the tavern keeper was just a man, quite different from what was described in the books: a wine-selling woman, plump and round, with suggestive curves.

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Later, when we get to the capital, I’ll have Xiao Mo buy you a breakfast.”

The Immortal Attendant frowned, saying, “There are still several kilometers to go. Celestial Master Cao, with my walking speed, if I slowly walk back, wouldn’t that delay your important business?”

Chen Ping’an smiled without commenting and turned his head to look outside the tavern, where people came and went, hurried passersby.

Things to go with wine.

Moonlight, beauty, lewd jokes.

Hometown, longing, dreams.

Chen Ping’an waited for the Immortal Attendant to slowly finish his wine. The three of them left the tavern together. The Immortal Attendant dawdled, feeling listless at the thought of having to walk so far. Fortunately, Celestial Master Cao was considerate enough to leave the official road and, by the reed catkin shallows, had Xiao Mo grab the Immortal Attendant’s shoulder while Chen Ping’an himself used the Water Cloud Body technique, returning to the capital together.

The three of them arrived at a small Daoist temple whose entrance didn’t reveal its status at all.

The Immortal Attendant was eating the sesame cake Xiao Mo had bought, two of them rolled together, with preserved vegetables and minced meat filling, delicious and filling.

Chen Ping’an stood outside the street of this capital’s Daoist Orthodox Bureau with his hands in his sleeves, as if he wasn’t in a hurry to enter and pay his respects.

Seeing that his Young Master hadn’t moved, Xiao Mo took a few steps forward, bent over and looked at the stone tablet standing beside the steps. The person who erected the tablet was the current leader of the Great Li Dynasty’s Chongxu Bureau, a Daoist leader. According to the inscription, a long list of titles: Disciple of the Three Caverns, Leader of the Capital’s Great Daoist Priests, Abbot of the Chongxu Temple, Wu Lingjing of She County.
Previously, when traveling with Ning Yao, Chen Ping’an wondered who this Wu Lingjing was and how he could be awarded the title of “Grand Daoist Righteous,” overseeing dozens of Daoist Righteous officials in the Dali Dynasty court, essentially severing ties with the Divine Edicts Sect. Later, after browsing through the archives at the Imperial Observatory in the capital, he learned that Wu Lingjing was actually the middle-aged Daoist priest from White Cloud Temple in the Green Luan Kingdom. According to the current Dali officialdom, the reason this person was able to ascend to the heavens in one step, presiding over the Chongxu Bureau, was due to the strong recommendation of the old Minister Liu of the Ministry of Rites in the secondary capital. It was simply a matter of hometown camaraderie, with a man’s pets benefiting from his success, which was perfectly reasonable.

It wasn’t just the Chongxu Bureau; even the white-robed monk of the Dali Translation Bureau, the Buddhist Dragon Elephant who received the title of Tripitaka Master, also came from the Green Luan Kingdom, from the White Water Temple.

Immortal Guard said vaguely, “Immortal Master Cao, what are you doing here?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Just strolling around.”

Immortal Guard asked again, “Then why aren’t we going in?”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Don’t we have to wait for you to finish eating first?”

Immortal Guard gave an “oh” sound, completely unaware of what the so-called “Capital Daoist Righteous Office” was, only feeling that this small and unimposing Daoist temple couldn’t intimidate even a fake Daoist like him.

After Immortal Guard finished eating, he clapped his hands. “Let’s go and take a look.”

The gatekeeper of the small temple was a young Daoist acolyte. Chen Ping’an claimed to be a friend of Daoist Recorder Ge Ling and had come to the temple for a cup of tea.

Upon hearing that he was a friend of Daoist Recorder Ge, the young acolyte allowed them to enter. Otherwise, their Daoist temple did not receive ordinary outsiders.

The Capital Daoist Righteous soon greeted them in person, an old cultivator in the Golden Core Realm, holding a whisk, giving a Daoist bow, and saying respectfully, “Greetings, Mountain Master Chen.”

Chen Ping’an returned the bow and smiled, “I’m disturbing you.”

The old Daoist Righteous smiled, “Not at all, Mountain Master Chen’s presence is an honor to the Daoist Record Institute.”

He led the three into a room and had them seated. The old Daoist had the Daoist officials of the office bring tea to the three honored guests.

The old Daoist Righteous asked softly, “I heard that Mountain Master Chen cultivated in the Sword Qi Great Wall for many years. During that time, did you ever discuss the Dao or exchange knowledge with the White Jade Capital Sage who sits atop the firmament?”

He was referring to the City Lord of Divine Firmament City in White Jade Capital’s Five Towers and Twelve Cities.

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “I only saw him from afar; I had no interaction with that old immortal.”

It was actually a regrettable matter.

In the future, when traveling in the Azure Sky, he would definitely visit Divine Firmament City as a guest, of course, only in the literal sense of paying a visit.

As for places like the Violet Qi Tower, that was another matter.

The old Daoist Righteous nodded. After Chen Sword Immortal drank his tea, he asked if he could walk around the Daoist temple. The old man smiled and said, “Of course, Mountain Master Chen is welcome to walk around and look as he pleases.”

Chen Ping’an walked out of the room with Xiao Mo and Immortal Guard. The old Daoist stood at the door for a moment and then went to attend to his own affairs.

Chen Ping’an came to an ancient cypress tree.

Immortal Guard asked curiously, “Xiao Mo, what kind of official is the Capital Daoist Righteous?”

Xiao Mo said, “The Daoist who manages all the Daoists in the Dali capital.”

“A big official!”

Immortal Guard was greatly startled. His mind raced, and he asked tentatively, “Xiao Mo, can Cao Mo help me get a Daoist ordination certificate?”

Xiao Mo shook her head. “You go talk to the young master about this yourself.”

Suddenly, a few clear chimes rang out.

Chen Ping’an came back to his senses, collected his thoughts, and said, “Let’s go.”

Before leaving the Daoist temple, Chen Ping’an found the Capital Daoist Righteous, only to discover that, in addition to Ge Ling, all the Daoist Recorders of the various offices in the capital, including litigation, court documents, and seal-holding, were waiting in the Daoist Righteous’s office, as if they were waiting for Chen Sword Immortal to show his face. Chen Ping’an pretended not to notice these Daoist Recorders’ intention to watch the excitement and smiled as he bid farewell and left.

Afterward, he took Xiao Mo and Immortal Guard to the Chongxu Bureau. Because it was the location of the translation institute and a newly built office by imperial decree of Dali, it appeared more imposing than the ancient Daoist temple. As a result, Immortal Guard walked nervously along the way, not daring to breathe loudly. Xiao Mo joked, “Do you need me to help you tell the young master?” Immortal Guard understood the implication and chuckled, “Xiao Mo, does your family have a bamboo forest?” Xiao Mo was somewhat at a loss, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

Chen Ping’an finally took off his cloth shoes and sat on a wooden corridor outside a meditation room. Xiao Mo pulled Immortal Guard to sit on the steps.

Chen Ping’an placed his hands on his abdomen and began to close his eyes to rest.

The Peace of Mind Method. The Ascetic Monk Method. Upholding the precepts and practicing asceticism.

There was an old saying in his hometown, “Plowing the fields on a stone cliff.”

It was used to describe a poor person’s hardship and diligence to an exaggerated extent.

For some reason, the first time Chen Ping’an encountered that Buddhist story in a book and saw the words “grinding a brick into a mirror,” he would inexplicably think of this hometown proverb.

Since a person has their own hometown of peace, they also have their own places of anguish, causing them to linger and walk in circles.

Perhaps it was after leaving his hometown, outside the window of a rural school in a foreign land, watching a poor and struggling teacher’s eyes sparkle as he taught the children the knowledge of the sages.

A’liang, perhaps, was that mass grave in the desolate wilderness.

Wei Bo, perhaps, was the woman who went into the water to salvage the shattered pieces of the golden statue a thousand years ago.

The Bride Ghost, perhaps, was a scholar on that mountain road in the night, loudly reciting the books of the sages to embolden himself.

Always lingering.

The more someone wants a clear distinction between black and white, the more they want to distinguish between right and wrong, the more painful they will be.

Unknowingly, the evening drum sounded. Chen Ping’an still closed his eyes and said, “Xiao Mo, you and Immortal Guard can go back to the residence first.”

Xiao Mo said softly, “It’s okay; we’ll wait for the young master.”

As for that Immortal Guard, he had already eaten vegetarian food at the Translation Bureau. Heaven and earth were vast, but eating was the greatest thing. Face and all that were secondary. Although sitting here all the time made Immortal Guard feel a bit bored, compared to the hardships of traveling north all those years, it was actually much better. He simply treated it as a way to remember the bitterness of the past and appreciate the sweetness of the present.

Later, when Chen Ping’an opened his eyes and looked up, it was already the time when the moon reached the center of the sky.

The bright moon was high in the building, solitary and alone. The moonlight was like water, and the water was like the sky, too elusive to grasp.

Chen Ping’an withdrew his gaze and glanced at Xiao Mo and Immortal Guard on the steps. Xiao Mo was still sitting upright on the steps, while Immortal Guard, with his considerable skills, could fall asleep even while sitting. At this moment, he was snoring loudly.

Chen Ping’an got up and came to the steps, putting on his shoes.

Xiao Mo was about to reach out and wake up Immortal Guard, but Chen Ping’an smiled softly, “It’s okay; let him sleep a little longer.”
Having sat for a little less than half an hour, Chen Ping’an lightly tapped the Xianwei’s head. He said to Xiao Mo, “Striking people should be done early.”

The Xianwei rubbed his eyes, drowsily asking, “What time is it?”

The next sentence was bound to be whether or not to grab a midnight snack.

Chen Ping’an led them away from the Translation Bureau, and indeed took the Xianwei to a late-night food stall.

In the Longzhou territory, soon to be renamed Chuzhou, the old Grandmaster Yu Hong and her group, riding the Changchun Palace’s Liquan ferry, chose to disembark at Niujiao Ferry, first arriving at Red Candle Town, where the three rivers converged, and then detouring to the Water God Temple of the Jade Liquid River.

In the deep, still night, Yu Hong paid a visit to the Water God Temple.

A land’s mountains and rivers, a fourth-rank Water God.

The golden statue and divine position of the Jade Liquid River’s Water Goddess were quite high.

At the Water God Temple, the temple keeper had been replaced some years ago. She was not a very clever person. The pious men and women who came to burn incense and make wishes were constant throughout the year. This woman could only be described as courteous, but when it came to establishing relationships with the important patrons, her abilities were quite mediocre. There had even been a few blunders, causing several major patrons to switch to the Embroidered Flower River and the Chongdan River. However, the Water Goddess Li Qingzhu remained unmoved, as if she believed that this woman was the best candidate for her temple keeper.

After Yu Hong announced her identity, she smiled and said that they didn’t need to trouble the Water Goddess, they could go to the Water Mansion themselves. However, the temple keeper woman, who didn’t understand the ways of the world at all, actually did just that, casting a talisman to part the waters and open the way. The Water Mansion’s secret-recipe carriage talisman transformed into a carriage as soon as it entered the water. Yu Hong smiled, not taking it to heart, and took the lead in getting into the carriage. Her direct disciple Huang Mei, however, had a displeased expression on her face.

The immortal carriage traveled through the water, soon arriving at the Water Mansion’s gate. The temple keeper woman reported the news to the guards.

Li Qingzhu quickly came out to personally greet Yu Hong, a top-tier tribute to the Great Li Dynasty, and also a ninth-realm martial artist.

Moreover, she had once had a widely known, short-lived romance with one of Yu Hong’s direct disciples.

Yu Hong keenly noticed that this Water Goddess seemed to always carry a hint of sorrow between her brows.

In fact, Li Qingzhu’s greatest wish these years was to seek stability.

It was unimaginable that a true god of the river had actually disguised herself and gone to the Mountain Lord Temple of the Piyun Mountain and the Water God Temple of the Tiefu River to burn incense several times…

In the Great Li capital, the Bian family hosted a wedding banquet.

Lin Shouyi’s visit to the capital this time was specifically to attend the wedding banquet of Shi Jiachun’s eldest son.

The last time he met his classmate Shi Jiachun was many years ago, when they reunited in their hometown of Huaihuang Town.

It was hard to imagine that Shi Jiachun’s son, who was just a child at the time, was now getting married.

That classmate reunion, Shi Jiachun only missed her best friend from her youth, Li Baoping.

This time, however, only Lin Shouyi was present. Li Baoping and Li Huai were both absent, and Dong Shuijing had an unexpected matter that he couldn’t get away from, so he couldn’t make it to the capital. However, he sent a staggering sum of money as a gift through someone else.

The key was that the person Dong Shuijing entrusted was even more intimidating, with a wine gourd hanging from his waist, reeking of alcohol, and acting carefree. This person didn’t even announce his name, only saying that he was there to deliver a red envelope from his friend Dong Shuijing.

Fortunately, someone on the Bian family’s side had sharp eyes and recognized the other party’s identity. Besides the lazy air of a wealthy young man from the capital, it was mostly thanks to the wine gourd. In the capital’s officialdom, and even the entire Great Li Dynasty, he was the only one allowed to bring a wine gourd to the yamen.

But the other party only left the red envelope and left, and no one dared to try and keep him.

Because this person was Cao Gengxin, the “drunkenard” who had been promoted from overseeing official in Longzhou to Vice Minister of Works in the secondary capital, and then to Vice Minister of Personnel in the capital. He was the eldest grandson of the Supreme Pillar State Cao family. No matter what Cao Gengxin’s reputation was in the Great Li officialdom, or how unconventional he was as a person and as an official, he was a legitimate third-rank official in the Great Li capital.

Moreover, his second uncle was the patrolling envoy Cao Ping.

By the time the Bian family and their in-laws received the news, they hurriedly went out to chase after that Immortal Cao of Wine. They didn’t expect the man to sway unsteadily, but his steps were not slow. He disappeared around a street corner. It seemed that he had lightly bumped into a woman’s shoulder, stepped back, bowed and apologized, with a bright smile. The woman saw that the man was handsome, and probably didn’t feel that she had suffered too much of a loss, so she laughed and cursed a few times and let it go.

Besides Cao Gengxin showing his face, Zhao Yao, who served as Vice Minister of Justice, also sent a red envelope through someone else because he was busy with official duties. This made the Bian family and their in-laws feel extremely honored.

Shi Jiachun’s husband, Bian Wenmao, came from a prestigious family in the Great Li capital. His family background wasn’t particularly prominent, but Bian Wenmao had worked in the Hanlin Academy, which was regarded as the “land of future prime ministers,” so although his official rank wasn’t high, he was still from a top-tier scholarly background. Therefore, the Bian family’s family guardian was an elder from the Changchun Palace’s Ancestral Hall.

Lin Shouyi was a sage of the Great Sui Yaya Academy, and later became the temple keeper of the Great Du Temple in the Great Li’s secondary capital. Even earlier, in the two capitals of Great Li and Great Sui, Lin Shouyi was already a much-talked-about figure, a typical example of early fame. In academic matters, he was a child prodigy of the Yaya Academy, but he didn’t participate in the imperial examinations. In cultivation, he was also advancing rapidly.

Lin Shouyi declined the Bian family’s invitation and didn’t sit at the main table.

He sat at a table with a group of immortal masters.

At the main table, the highest-ranking official was a Vice Minister of Works from the Great Li Dynasty, invited by the Bian family’s in-laws.

There was also the Tanhua, Yang Shuang, who was very young, and Wang Qinruo, one of the fifteen second-class Jinshi.

Both of them were considered latecomers to the Great Li Hanlin Academy, but Bian Wenmao didn’t dare to act like a senior official in front of them.

There was also Fu Yu, who had just been transferred back to the capital from the position of Prefect of Baoxi County, who took the initiative to chat with Lin Shouyi for a few words.

Lin Shouyi was a scholar from the Great Li Dynasty, and an inconspicuous Nascent Soul cultivator!

The old woman who was the Bian family’s guardian was a Dragon Gate Realm cultivator. Although her realm wasn’t high, she was a member of the Changchun Palace’s Ancestral Hall. She mostly led and protected Changchun Palace disciples who went down the mountain to train, and had never made any mistakes. Except for that “Yu Mi,” which still made the old woman feel lingering fear.

In addition, the four Changchun Palace disciples she brought were all young female cultivators: Zhong Nan, Chu Mengjiao, Lin Caifu, and Han Biya.

The highest in seniority was Zhong Nan, whom the old woman had to call “Senior Aunt.” As for Chu Mengjiao and Han Biya, they were from official families in the Great Li capital. Their families didn’t have much connection with the Bian family.

Zhong Nan would occasionally glance at Lin Shouyi.
Chu Mengjiao constantly stole glances at the celebrated Tanhua Lang, the third scholar in the imperial examination, whose name resonated throughout the capital.

Lin Caifu gazed towards Wang Qinruo, one of the newly appointed Maolin Lang, scholars selected for their exceptional literary talent. She felt a subtle connection, a strand of destiny woven by the talisman she had gifted him, perhaps a precursor to a budding romance.

Yang Tanhua, with his spirited demeanor and refined looks, and Wang Maolin, overflowing with literary brilliance.

For female cultivators of the Changchun Palace, choosing a beloved man to become a Dao Companion, and then living a long and fulfilling life together, was an indispensable part of their cultivation. Whether their chosen companion was a cultivator or a mortal was of no consequence.

Only Han Biya was completely engrossed in eating, determined to recoup the money she had contributed as a wedding gift!

Lin Shouyi felt a sense of bewilderment, wondering why the young woman from the Changchun Palace kept looking at him from time to time. Did he know her? Why did he have no recollection whatsoever?

He naturally wouldn’t remember. Their first encounter occurred during Lin Shouyi’s first long journey, in Red Candle Town. One was on the shore, the other on a boat. At that time, they were just mere youths.

Lin Shouyi stayed until the very end of the wedding banquet, after almost all of the guests had departed. Shi Jiachun, still quite childish in her ways, abandoned her son and daughter-in-law, coming to sit beside Lin Shouyi. She playfully teased him, asking if he envied her that her son had gotten married while Lin Shouyi remained a bachelor. She jested that it was a good thing he was an immortal cultivator; otherwise, he would be considered an old bachelor. Was he planning to wait until her grandchildren were married to continue attending wedding banquets alone?

Lin Shouyi smiled and remained silent.

A pat on his shoulder caused Lin Shouyi to turn around. Seeing the fellow, he retorted with a touch of annoyance, “Hiding from the wedding banquet? That’s not right, is it?”

The woman looked at the man in the azure robe and blurted out, “Chen Ping’an?!”

In fact, Shi Jiachun hadn’t seen Chen Ping’an in over twenty years.

Yet, she was able to recognize him at a single glance.

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, handing over a red envelope. “Don’t think it’s too little. It’s the thought that counts.”

Unexpectedly, Shi Jiachun immediately opened the red envelope, her eyes widening. Two… Minor Heat Coins!

Shi Jiachun had returned to her hometown the last time, but she was still unable to see Chen Ping’an. She vaguely knew some rumors: besides taking over the two shops owned by the Shi family in Qilong Lane, Chen Ping’an had also bought several mountain peaks to the west, becoming a large landowner and a local tycoon. It seemed that he had struck it rich. However, she heard that Chen Ping’an seemed to be away from his hometown for most of the year, preferring to travel and be busy. He was quite close to Wei Bo, the Mountain Lord of Piyun Mountain, and had climbed onto a powerful backer beyond common imagination. It would be difficult not to make money.

Good thing.

Good people are rewarded.

Shi Jiachun’s memory of Chen Ping’an was somewhat blurry, only with one thing that put her at ease.

However, she hadn’t mentioned a single word of these things, even to her husband.

Chen Ping’an sat on the chair beside Lin Shouyi. Shi Jiachun laughed heartily, generously putting away the red envelope. She fetched a pot of wine and two cups, handing one to Chen Ping’an, and sat to one side, first filling Chen Ping’an’s cup. She didn’t forget to tease him, saying, “I still have a daughter waiting to get married. Before the next wedding banquet, I’ll definitely send you an invitation. The wedding gift will be according to today’s standard! But don’t forget, as Lin Shouyi said, you can’t hide from the wedding banquet.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “No problem. As long as I’m not traveling far, I’ll definitely come.”

Shi Jiachun smiled and asked, “Are you married?”

Finding a Dao Companion was much more difficult for mountain immortals than for ordinary men and women below.

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, “The betrothal gift has been sent, but we’re not officially married yet. But it’ll be soon.”

Shi Jiachun glanced at Lin Shouyi, clicking her tongue. Look at Chen Ping’an, and then look at yourself.

Lin Shouyi took a swig of wine in silence.

Lin Shouyi suddenly turned to look towards the entrance.

Unexpected guests arrived to offer their congratulations, ones that neither could have foreseen.

Emperor Song He of Great Li and Empress Yu Mian.

Shi Jiachun was still wondering who it was, acting so grand, making her husband and both sides of elders sweat profusely.

What was there to be afraid of? Chen Ping’an was here anyway.

Lin Shouyi had already stood up and cleared his throat to Shi Jiachun, whispering, “It’s His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

Shi Jiachun rolled her eyes at Lin Shouyi. Was he starting to tell jokes?

Nevertheless, Shi Jiachun still hurriedly stood up.

Even if the Bian family was an Upper Pillar State clan, could their children’s weddings warrant the Emperor’s personal presence? What was she thinking, daydreaming?

But when she looked at Chen Ping’an next to her, he hadn’t stood up and was busy drinking.

Chen Ping’an put down his wine cup.

Lin Shouyi had already led Shi Jiachun to another table. Bian Wenmao came to his wife unsteadily, gripping her hand tightly. Only at this moment did Shi Jiachun dare to believe that Lin Shouyi hadn’t been joking.

A silence fell over the scene.

Emperor Song He walked to the table, cupping his hands in a salute. “Song He greets Mister Chen.”

Chen Ping’an stood up and asked with a smile, “Is there something?”

The Emperor said, “I humbly request Mister Chen to serve as the National Preceptor of Great Li.”